Wireless communication authentication for medical monitoring device

ABSTRACT

Methods, systems, and devices for short-range low-power wireless communication of analyte information are provided. In some implementations, short-range low-power wireless communication of analyte information may include receiving an electromagnetic wireless communication signal and harvesting energy from the electromagnetic wireless communication signal. In some implementations, short-range low-power wireless communication of analyte information may include enabling capabilities associated with an external sensor in response to detecting the external sensor. In some implementations, short-range low-power wireless communication of analyte information may include detecting an analyte sample; determining an analyte concentration associated with the detected analyte sample; and transmitting an indication of the analyte concentration to an external device.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The embodiments herein relate in general to a device and method fordetermining and reporting glucose readings using wireless communication.

BACKGROUND

Analyte monitoring systems, such as glucose monitoring systems,including continuous and discrete monitoring systems, may include abattery powered and microprocessor controlled system which is configuredto detect signals proportional to the corresponding measured glucoselevels using an electrometer, and transmit the collected data, such asvia radio frequency (RF) transmission. In some implementations, glucosemonitoring systems may include a transcutaneous or subcutaneous analytesensor configuration which may be, for example, partially mounted on theskin of a subject whose glucose level is to be monitored. The sensor mayuse a two or three electrode (work, reference, and counter electrodes)configuration driven by a controlled potential (potentiostat) analogcircuit connected through a contact system.

In view of the foregoing, it would be desirable to provide a short-rangelow-energy communication unit in a data monitoring and managementsystem.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In accordance with the various embodiments of the present disclosure,there are provided methods, devices, and systems for providing ashort-range low-energy communication unit in a data monitoring andmanagement system.

In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a device, including ahousing, a processor coupled to the housing, a memory unit configured tostore computer executable instructions, an antenna, an energy scavengingunit, and a processor configured to execute the computer executableinstructions stored in the memory to control the energy scavenging unitto harvest energy from an electromagnetic signal received by theantenna, detect an analyte sample, determine an analyte concentrationassociated with the detected analyte sample, and transmit an indicationof the analyte concentration to an external device using the harvestedenergy.

In a second aspect, the present disclosure provides a method includingreceiving an electromagnetic wireless communication signal, harvestingenergy from the electromagnetic wireless communication signal, detectingan analyte sample, determining an analyte concentration associated withthe detected analyte sample, and transmitting an indication of theanalyte concentration to an external device using the harvested energy.

In a third aspect, the present disclosure provides a device, including ahousing, a memory unit configured to store computer executableinstructions, a transceiver, a plurality of capabilities associated withan external sensor, wherein each capability in the plurality ofcapabilities associated with the external sensor is disabled, and aprocessor configured to execute the computer executable instructionsstored in the memory to enable an external sensor interface, search forthe external sensor, in response to detecting the external sensor,enable each capability in the plurality of capabilities associated withthe external sensor, detect an analyte sample using the external sensorinterface, determine an analyte concentration associated with thedetected analyte sample, and transmit an indication of the analyteconcentration to an external device.

In a fourth aspect, the present disclosure provides a method includingenabling an external sensor interface, wherein the external sensorinterface is one of a plurality of capabilities associated with anexternal sensor, wherein each capability in the plurality ofcapabilities associated with the external sensor is disabled, searchingfor the external sensor, in response to detecting the external sensor,enabling each capability in the plurality of capabilities associatedwith the external sensor, detecting an analyte sample using the externalsensor interface, determining an analyte concentration associated withthe detected analyte sample, and transmitting an indication of theanalyte concentration to an external device.

It should be noted that two or more of the embodiments described herein,including those described above, may be combined to produce one or moreadditional embodiments which include the combined features of theindividual embodiments.

These and other objects, features, and advantages of the presentdisclosure will become more fully apparent from the following detaileddescription of the embodiments, the appended claims and the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an analyte data monitoring andmanagement system in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 2 shows a diagram of a health monitor device in accordance withembodiments of this disclosure;

FIG. 3 shows examples of a health monitor device in communication withexternal devices in accordance with embodiments of this disclosure;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view diagram of a health monitor device inaccordance with embodiments of this disclosure.

FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of a wirelessly powered health monitordevice in accordance with embodiments of this disclosure;

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view diagram of a wirelessly powered healthmonitor device and external device in accordance with embodiments ofthis disclosure;

FIG. 7 shows an example of wirelessly powered wireless communication ofanalyte data in accordance with embodiments of this disclosure; and

FIG. 8 is an example of enabling suppressed capabilities in accordancewith embodiments of this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As described in accordance with the various embodiments of the presentdisclosure below, there are provided methods and systems for utilizingshort-range low-energy wireless communications in an electronic deviceused in analyte monitoring and management systems, such as in a glucosemonitoring and management systems.

Although FIGS. 1-8 are described with reference to glucose monitoring,any data monitoring and management system may be used. For example, ananalyte monitoring system may monitor a variety of analytes, such as,lactate, ketones, acetyl choline, amylase, bilirubin, cholesterol,chorionic gonadotropin, creatine kinase (e.g., CK-MB), creatine, DNA,fructosamine, glucose, glutamine, growth hormones, hormones, ketones,lactate, peroxide, prostate-specific antigen, prothrombin, RNA, thyroidstimulating hormone, and troponin. In some implementations, theconcentration of drugs, such as, for example, antibiotics (e.g.,gentamicin, vancomycin, and the like), digitoxin, digoxin, drugs ofabuse, theophylline, and warfarin, may be monitored.

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an analyte data monitoring andmanagement system 100, such as a glucose monitoring system, inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The analyte datamonitoring and management system 100 may include a sensor unit 110, atransmitter unit 120, a receiver unit 130, a data processing unit 140,or any combination thereof.

In some implementations, one or more of the sensor unit 110, thetransmitter unit 120, the receiver unit 130, or the data processing unit140 may be configured to communicate via a wired or wirelesscommunication link 152/154/156/158. For example, communicating via awireless communication link may include using one or more of an radiofrequency (RF) communication protocol, a near field communication (NFC)protocol, a radio frequency identification (RFID) protocol, an infraredcommunication protocol, a Bluetooth® communication protocol, an 802.11xwireless communication protocol, or an equivalent wireless communicationprotocol which may provide secure, wireless communication with one ormore units while avoiding data collision and interference.

The sensor unit 110 may communicate with the transmitter unit 120 toprovide monitored or detected analyte information. The sensor unit 110may communicate the analyte information in response to manualinteraction, based on a transmission schedule, or in response to arequest from the transmitter unit 120.

In some implementations, the sensor unit 110 may be a test strip, whichmay be an electrochemical analyte test strip, such as a blood glucosetest strip or other fluid sample reception unit. The test strip may bemechanically received in a test strip port of the transmitter unit 120,which may be a hand-held blood glucose meter.

In some implementations, the sensor unit 110 may be an externalmonitoring device, such as a continuous analyte monitoring device. Forexample, the sensor unit 110 may be physically positioned in or on thebody of a user whose glucose level is being monitored, and the sensorunit 110 may continually or substantially continually measure an analyteconcentration of a bodily fluid. In some embodiments, the sensor unit120 may be configured as a compact, low profile on-body patch deviceassembled in a single integrated housing and positioned on a skinsurface of the user or the patient with a portion of the analyte sensormaintained in fluid contact with a bodily fluid such as an interstitialfluid. The sensor unit 110 may be configured to continuously sample theglucose level of the user and convert the sampled glucose level into acorresponding data signal for transmission by the transmitter unit 120.

The transmitter unit 120 may be configured to receive analyteinformation from the sensor unit 110. For example, the transmitter unit120 may be configured to receive a fluid sample transported by a teststrip. In another example, the transmitter unit 120 may be configured toreceive analyte data from an external monitoring device, such as acontinuous analyte monitoring device. In another example, thetransmitter unit 120 may be configured to receive a fluid sampletransported by a test strip and to receive analyte data from an externalmonitoring device. In some embodiments, the transmitter unit 120 may beconfigured to control the sensor unit 110.

The transmitter unit 120 may be configured to communicate with thereceiver unit 130 via a communication link 154. In some embodiments, thetransmitter device 120 may be configured without a user interface ordisplay to minimize the size and cost of the transmitter device 120. Insome embodiments, the transmitter unit 120 may be mounted on the sensorunit 110, or the sensor unit 110 and the transmitter unit 120 may beconfigured as a combined unit, and both units may be positioned on auser's body. The transmitter unit 120 may perform data processing suchas filtering and encoding of data signals, each of which may correspondto a sampled glucose level of the user, for transmission to the receiverunit 130 via the communication link 154.

In some embodiments, the communication link 154 may be unidirectionalfrom the transmitter unit 120 to the receiver unit 130. The transmitterunit 120 may transmit sampled data signals received from the sensor unit110 without acknowledgement from the receiver unit 130. For example, thetransmitter unit 120 may be configured to transmit encoded sampled datasignals at a fixed rate (e.g., at one minute intervals) after thecompletion of an initial power on procedure. The receiver unit 130 maybe configured to detect transmitted encoded sampled data signals atpredetermined time intervals.

The receiver unit 130 may be configured to receive data from thetransmitter unit 120 via communication link 154 and to transmit data tothe data processing unit 140 for evaluation via communication link 156.In some implementations, the receiver unit 130 may include an analoginterface unit, which may be configured to communicate with thetransmitter unit 120 via the communication link 154, and a dataprocessing unit, which may be configured to process data signalsreceived from the transmitter unit 120, by performing, for example, datadecoding, error detection and correction, data clock generation, or databit recovery. In some embodiments, the analog interface section mayinclude or wireless communication receiver and an antenna for receivingand amplifying the data signals from the transmitter unit 120. Thesignals may be processed at the receiver unit 130. For example, thesignals may be demodulated with a local oscillator and filtered througha band-pass filter.

In some implementations, the receiver unit 130 may be configured todetect the presence of the transmitter unit 120 within a range based on,for example, the strength of the detected data signals received from thetransmitter unit 120 or based on predetermined transmitteridentification information. The receiver unit 130 and the transmitterunit 120 may synchronize and the receiver unit 130 may receive datasignals corresponding to the user's detected glucose level from thetransmitter unit 120. For example, the receiver unit 130 may beconfigured to perform synchronized time hopping with the correspondingsynchronized transmitter unit 120 via the communication link 154 toobtain the user's detected glucose level.

In some embodiments, the receiver unit 130 may include a PDA orsmartphone, which may synchronize data with the data processing unit140, which may be a personal computer (PC). In another embodiment, thereceiver unit 130 may include a mobile phone, which may communicate viaa cellular network with the data processing unit 140, which may be acomputer system at, for example, a physician's office.

The data processing unit 140 may be configured to evaluate data receivedfrom the receiver unit 130. In some implementations, the data processingunit 140 may be configured to communicate directly with the transmitterunit 120 via communication link 158. In some implementations, thereceiver unit 130 may be configured to include the functions of the dataprocessing unit 140 such that the receiver unit 130 may be configured toreceive and evaluate data from the transmitter unit 120.

In some implementations, the data processing unit 140 may include apersonal computer, a portable computer such as a laptop or a handhelddevice (e.g., a personal digital assistant (PDA) or smartphone), and thelike, and may be configured for data communication with the receiverunit 130 via a wired or a wireless communication link. In someembodiments, the data processing unit 140 may be connected to a datanetwork (not shown) for storing, retrieving and updating datacorresponding to the detected glucose level of the user.

In some implementations, the data processing unit 140 may include aninfusion device such as an insulin infusion pump or the like, which maybe configured to administer insulin to patients, and which may beconfigured to communicate with the receiver unit 130 for receiving, forexample, glucose level measurements. In some embodiments, the receiverunit 130 may be integrated with an infusion device and the receiver unit130 may be configured to administer insulin therapy to patients, forexample, for administering and modifying basal profiles, as well as fordetermining appropriate boluses for administration based on, forexample, the detected glucose levels received from the transmitter unit120.

In some implementations, the data processing unit 140 may be configuredto receive signals including glucose information from the transmitterunit 120, and may incorporate functions of the receiver unit 130, whichmay include data processing for managing the patient's insulin therapyand glucose monitoring.

Although FIG. 1 shows a sensor unit 110, a transmitter unit 120, areceiver unit 130, and a data processing unit 140, the glucosemonitoring communication system 100 may include multiple sensors,multiple transmitters, multiple communication links, multiple receivers,or multiple data processing units. In some implementations, the glucosemonitoring communication system 100 may be a continuous monitoringsystem, a semi-continuous monitoring system, or a discrete monitoringsystem. For example, the sensor unit 110 may be configured as a teststrip, the transmitter unit 120 may be configured as a hand-held bloodglucose monitor, and the receiver unit 130 and the data processing unit140 may be omitted. In another example, the sensor unit 110 may beconfigured as an external monitoring device, the transmitter unit 120may be configured as small device without a user interface to receiveinformation from and control the sensor unit 110, and the receiver unit130 may be configured to receive information from and control thetransmitter unit 120 and to provide a user interface for the system.

FIG. 2 shows a diagram of a health monitor device 200 in accordance withembodiments of this disclosure. The health monitor device 200 mayinclude a client device, such as the transmitter unit 120 shown in FIG.1, a server device, such as the receiver unit 130 shown in FIG. 1, orboth. The health monitor device 200 may be used for determining aconcentration of an analyte in blood or interstitial fluid. For example,the health monitor device 200 may be an analyte test meter, such as aglucose test meter that may be used for determining an analyteconcentration, such as a blood glucose concentration, of a sample fordetermination of a blood glucose level of a patient, such as a patientwith Type-1 or Type-2 diabetes. In some embodiments, the health monitordevice 200 may be a blood glucose meter, a continuous monitor, aninsulin pump, a blood pressure meter, a heart rate monitor, athermometer, or any other health monitor device capable of measuring,monitoring, or storing raw or analyzed medical data electronically.

The health monitor device 200 may communicate in a wirelesscommunication system, such as the system shown in FIG. 1. For example,the health monitor device 200 may receive fluid samples, or sample data,from a sensor device 202, such as the sensor unit 110 shown in FIG. 1,and may wirelessly transmit data to an external device 204, such as thereceiver unit 130 or the data processing unit 140 shown in FIG. 1. Thehealth monitor device 200 may include a housing 210, a processor 220, asensor interface 230, a user interface 240, a clock 250, a data storageunit 260, a power supply 270, a communication interface 280, or acombination thereof.

The housing 210 may physically enclose one or more of the processor 220,the sensor interface 230, the user interface 240, the clock 250, thedata storage unit 260, the power supply 270, or the communicationinterface 280, and may be configured to fit into a small profile.Although the housing 210 is shown a single physical unit, the housing210 may be implemented as one or more physical units that may bephysically or electronically connected. Although not shown in FIG. 2,the housing 210 may include one or more ports, such as a test stripport, a power port, an audio connection port, or a data connection port.For example, the housing 210 may include a test strip port configured toreceive a test strip, which may include a fluid sample, and may beconnected to the sensor interface 230.

The processor 220 may include any device capable of manipulating orprocessing a signal or other information, including an opticalprocessor, a quantum processor, a molecular processor, or a combinationthereof. For example, the processor 220 may include a general purposeprocessor, a central processing unit (CPU), a special purpose processor,a plurality of microprocessors, a controller, a microcontroller, anApplication Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field ProgrammableGate Array (FPGA), a programmable logic array, programmable logiccontroller, microcode, firmware, any type of integrated circuit (IC), astate machine, or any combination thereof. As used herein, the term“processor” includes a single processor or multiple processors. Theprocessor 220 may be operatively coupled to the sensor interface 230,the user interface 240, the clock 250, the data storage unit 260, thepower supply 270, or the communication interface 280.

In some embodiments, the sensor interface 230 may receive a fluidsample. For example, the sensor 202 may be a test strip and the sensorinterface 230 may receive a fluid sample transported via a test strip.The processor 220 may control the sensor interface 230 to analyze thefluid sample to determine an associated analyte level.

In some embodiments, the sensor interface 230 may receive raw oranalyzed data indicating an analyte level associated with a fluid sampleanalyzed at an external measurement device, such as a continuous analytemonitoring device, via a wireless communication medium, such as radiofrequency identification (RFID). For example, the continuous analytemonitoring device may include a transcutaneously implanted sensor, suchas an implantable glucose sensor, that may continually or substantiallycontinually measure an analyte concentration of a bodily fluid. In someembodiments, the sensor interface 230 may receive analyte related datafrom the external measurement device periodically, based on atransmission schedule, or may request the data from the externalmeasurement device.

The user interface 240 may include a display unit and one or more inputelements, which may include physical input elements, such as buttons,jogs, or dials, virtual input elements, such as butts on a touch screen,or both. The user interface 240, or a portion thereof, may be integratedwith the housing 210. For example, the user interface 240 may form apart of an external surface of the housing 210. The user interface 240,or a portion thereof, may be configured to allow a user of the healthmonitor device 200 to receive information, input information, orotherwise interact, with the health monitor device 200. For example, theuser of the health monitor device 200 may operate the one or more inputbuttons to enter a calibration code associated with a test strip orother fluid sample reception device. In another example, the userinterface 240 may present visual, tactile, or auditory informationindicating, for example, a blood glucose measurement to the user. Insome embodiments, the display unit may include a graphical display unit,such as a LCD or an LED display, an auditory display unit, such asspeaker, or both a graphical display and an audio display. In someembodiments, the user interface 240 may include a touch screen display.In some embodiments, the display unit, the input elements, or both maybe omitted from the user interface 240.

The clock 250 may be operatively coupled to the processor 220 and mayprovide a clock signal at discreet clock frequencies to the processor220. For example, the clock may include an oscillator, such as a quartzcrystal oscillator, or any other device capable of producing a clocksignal for indicating a real time clock.

The data storage unit 260 may store raw data, analyzed data, or both. Insome embodiments, the data storage unit 260 may store instructions thatmay be executed by the processor to, for example, perform analysis, suchas analyte concentration analysis and medication dosage calculation. Thedata storage unit 260 may include any non-transitory computer-usable orcomputer-readable medium, such as any tangible device that can, forexample, contain, store, communicate, or transport instructions, or anyinformation associated therewith, for use by or in connection with theprocessor 220. The non-transitory computer-usable or computer-readablemedium may be, for example, a solid state drive, a memory card,removable media, a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM),any type of disk including a hard disk, a floppy disk, an optical disk,a magnetic or optical card, an application specific integrated circuits(ASICs), or any type of non-transitory media suitable for storingelectronic information, or any combination thereof. The data storageunit 260 may be operatively connected to, for example, the processor 220through, for example, a memory bus.

The power supply 270 may be any suitable device for powering the healthmonitor device 200, or any portion thereof. For example, the powersupply 270 may include a wired power source; one or more dry cellbatteries, such as nickel-cadmium (NiCd), nickel-zinc (NiZn), nickelmetal hydride (NiMH), lithium-ion (Li-ion); solar cells; fuel cells; orany other device capable of powering the health monitor device 200. Theprocessor 220, the sensor interface 230, the user interface 240, theclock 250, the data storage unit 260, or the communication interface280, may be operatively coupled to the power supply 270.

The communication interface 280 may communicate with an external device204, such as the receiver unit 130 shown in FIG. 1. For example, thecommunication interface 280 may be an RF transmitter and may communicateusing a wireless communication protocol, such as an 802.11 protocol, aBluetooth® protocol, a cellular protocol, or any other wirelessprotocol. In some embodiments, the communication interface 280 mayinclude a receiver, a transmitter, or a transceiver. For example, thecommunication interface 280 may include a wireless transmission unit,such as a Bluetooth® low-energy wireless transmission unit. Although notexpressly shown in FIG. 2, the communication interface 280 may include awireless antenna, a wired communication port, such as an Ethernet port,an infrared port, a serial port, or any other wired or wireless unitcapable of interfacing with a wired or wireless electronic communicationmedium. In some embodiments, the health monitor device 200 maycommunicate with the external device 204 indirectly via another device,or series of devices. For example, the health monitor device 200 maycommunicate with the external device 204 via a network, wherein thehealth monitor device 200 may transmit signals to, for example, anaccess point (not shown), and the access point may transmit the signalsto the external device 204, in the same or a different format, via oneor more other devices in a network.

In some embodiments, the health monitor device 200 may audibly presentinformation, such as information indicating an analyte concentration,information indicating a rate of change of an analyte concentration, orinformation indicating the exceeding of a threshold of an analyteconcentration, which may indicate, for example, hypo- or hyperglycemia.For example, the user interface 240 may include a speaker, and thehealth monitor device 200 may present the audio signal via the speaker.In some embodiments, the health monitor device 200 may transmit raw oranalyzed analyte information to the external device 204 and the externaldevice 204 may generate an audio signal for presentation. In someembodiments, the health monitor device 200 may generate an audio signalindicating the information and may transmit the audio indication to theexternal device 204 for audio presentation.

Although shown as separate elements, the processor 220, the sensorinterface 230, the user interface 240, the clock 250, the data storageunit 260, the power supply 270, the communication interface 280, or anycombination thereof, may be integrated in one or more electronic units,circuits, or chips.

FIG. 3 shows examples of a health monitor device 310, such as the healthmonitor device 200 shown in FIG. 2, in communication with externaldevices 320, such as the receiver device 130 or the data processing unit140 shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with embodiments of this disclosure.The health monitor device 310 and one or more of the external devices320 may be part of a communication network, such as an individual'spersonal area network, and may be capable of wireless communication.

In some embodiments, the external device 320 may be a desktop computer,laptop computer, a handheld computer, or a printer, and may beconfigured to provide displays and printouts of detected or monitoredinformation. In some embodiments, the external device 320 may be atelephone that may be configured to display glucose data as and totransmit the data over a larger network.

In some embodiments, the external device 320 may be a configured toassist an individual by responding to glucose levels by providingalarms, suggesting that action be taken to correct a hypo orhyperglycemic condition, or to call necessary medical assistance. Forexample, individuals may be aware of the risks involved in driving whenglucose levels are out of range and particularly when they are too low.Thus, a navigation computer, or other electronic device, in anindividual's car may become part of the local area network and maydownload glucose data from the meter. For safety, the car computersystem may be programmed to require that the individual to perform aglucose test before driving, and the car may be disabled unless thediabetic takes the test and the result is in an appropriate range.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic of a health monitor device in accordance withembodiments of this disclosure. In some implementations, a blood glucosemeter 102 may not include a display or push buttons and may be combinedwith a lancing device to form an integrated unit 102′. Test strip port201 can be located in the side of integrated device 102′ or in any otherappropriate position. A test strip storage compartment can be locatedwithin integrated device 102′ and accessed through a flip-lid 220 orother suitable closure means. A second test strip storage compartment(not shown) can be included so that fresh strips and used strips can beseparately stored. A desiccant may be provided in one of the storagecompartments to preserve the fresh strips. By integrating these featurestogether in a single device without a user interface, the typical testkit that is carried around by people with diabetes can be made muchsmaller, easier to handle, and less costly.

A user may use a larger display unit within his or her personal areanetwork, which can be synchronized as they interact and communicate withthe wireless enabled meter. The sequences through which the user must“step” to complete tests (e.g. entering the calibration code, promptingapplication of the sample) may be readily viewed on the larger displayunits. The meter unit may be simplified, and may be smaller and lessexpensive to manufacture. Control buttons may be eliminated, savingadditional size and cost, since the user can use interface features ofthe external device. Simplified, wireless enabled meters may bedisposable, for example, after a specified number of uses, permittingthe producer to routinely upgrade as appropriate.

The system may permit the user to include security coding at any timethe meter unit accesses a display device, so that the user's data issecure. For example, when the health monitor device is used, that thesystem may request the user enter an identity code in order to verifythat the person handling the meter is an authorized user. The system topermit more than one user. The user data may be encrypted prior towireless transmission and thereafter respectively decrypted uponwireless reception.

In some implementations, the health monitor device may be configured toadvise the user of a glucose level which is determined when the moduleis used as a “stand-alone” unit. For example, the module may include avery low cost, small three digit LCD display. In another example, themodule may include LED indicator lights, a column of LEDs, or anelectroluminescent strip to indicate approximate or relative glucoselevels. For example, the health monitor device may include a red LED forbelow range, a green LED for within range, and a yellow LED for aboverange.

FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of a wirelessly powered health monitordevice 500 in accordance with embodiments of this disclosure. Thewirelessly powered health monitor device 500 may be used for determininga concentration of an analyte in blood or interstitial fluid and maycommunicate in a wireless communication system, such as the wirelesssystem shown in FIG. 1, using power harvested from wirelesscommunication signals. For example, the wirelessly powered healthmonitor device 500 may receive fluid samples, or sample data, from asensor unit 502, such as the sensor unit 110 shown in FIG. 1, and maywirelessly transmit data to an external device 504, such as the dataprocessing unit 140 shown in FIG. 1. The wirelessly powered healthmonitor device 500 may be an electronic device, such as transmitter unit120 shown in FIG. 1, and may be similar to the health monitor device 200shown in FIG. 2, except as described herein.

The wirelessly powered health monitor device 500 may include a housing510, a sensor interface unit 520, a communication unit 530, a widebandwireless communication antenna 540, a magnetic loop wirelesscommunication antenna 550, a power scavenging unit 560, a powermanagement unit 570, or a combination thereof. Although not shown inFIG. 5, the a wirelessly powered health monitor device 500 may includeother elements of a health monitor device, which may include aprocessor, such as the processor 220 shown in FIG. 2, a user interface,such as the user interface 240 shown in FIG. 2, a clock, such as theclock 250 shown in FIG. 2, a data storage unit, such as the data storageunit 260 shown in FIG. 2, or any combination thereof. In someimplementations, the wirelessly powered health monitor device 500 may bebatteryless.

The wirelessly powered health monitor device 500 may determine aconcentration of an analyte in blood or interstitial fluid. For example,the wirelessly powered health monitor device 500 may be an analyte testmeter, such as a glucose test meter that may be used for determining ananalyte concentration, such as a blood glucose concentration, of asample for determination of a blood glucose level of a patient, such asa patient with Type-1 or Type-2 diabetes. In some embodiments, thewirelessly powered health monitor device 500 may be a blood glucosemeter, a continuous monitor, an insulin pump, a blood pressure meter, aheart rate monitor, a thermometer, or any other health monitor devicecapable of measuring, monitoring, or storing raw or analyzed medicaldata electronically.

The housing 510 may physically enclose one or more of the sensorinterface unit 520, the communication unit 530, the wideband wirelesscommunication antenna 540, the magnetic loop wireless communicationantenna 550, the power scavenging unit 560, or the power management unit570, and may be configured to fit into a small profile. Although thehousing 510 is shown a single physical unit, the housing 510 may beimplemented as one or more physical units that may be physically orelectronically connected. Although not shown in FIG. 5, the housing 510may include one or more ports, such as a test strip port, a power port,an audio connection port, or a data connection port. For example, thehousing 510 may include a test strip port configured to receive a teststrip, which may include a fluid sample, and may be connected to thesensor interface unit 520.

The sensor interface unit 520 may be configured to receive analyteinformation from the sensor unit 502. For example, the sensor interfaceunit 520 may be configured to receive a glucose current signal, convertthe glucose current signal to a voltage signal, and amplify the voltagesignal for use in analog to digital signal conversion. In someembodiments, the sensor interface unit 520 may receive a fluid sample.For example, the sensor unit 502 may be a test strip, and the test stripmay transport a fluid sample to the sensor interface unit 520. Thesensor interface unit 520 may be configured to analyze the fluid sampleto determine an associated analyte level. In some embodiments, thesensor interface unit 520 may receive raw or analyzed data indicating ananalyte level associated with a fluid sample analyzed at an externalmeasurement device, such as a continuous analyte monitoring device, viaa wireless communication medium, such as radio frequency identification(RFID). For example, the continuous analyte monitoring device mayinclude a transcutaneously implanted sensor, such as an implantableglucose sensor, that may continually or substantially continuallymeasure an analyte concentration of a bodily fluid. In some embodiments,the sensor interface unit 520 may receive analyte related data from theexternal measurement device periodically, based on a transmissionschedule, or may request the data from the external measurement device.

Although not shown separately, the health monitor device may include aprocessor, such as the processor 220 shown in FIG. 2. The processor maybe operatively coupled to sensor interface unit 520, the communicationunit 530, the power management unit 570, the power scavenging unit 560,the wideband wireless communication antenna 540, or the magnetic loopwireless communication antenna 550. The processor may be configured toreceive signals, such as amplified analog voltage signals, from thesensor interface 520, and to convert the analog signals into digitalsignals, using, for example, analog to digital signal conversioncircuitry. The processor may be configured to send the digital signalsto the communication unit 530 for transmission to the external device504.

The communication unit 530 may communicate with an external device 504,such as the receiver unit 130 shown in FIG. 1. For example, thecommunication unit 530 may be configured to communicate with asmartphone via a wireless communication link. In some embodiments, thecommunication unit 530 may be configured to transmit analyte informationto the external device. In some implementations, the communication unit530 may be an RF transmitter, such as the RF transmitter 206 shown inFIG. 2, and may communicate using a wireless communication protocol,such as an 802.11 protocol, a Bluetooth® RF protocol, a cellularprotocol, or any other wireless protocol. In some embodiments, thecommunication unit 530 may include a receiver, a transmitter, or atransceiver.

In some embodiments, the communication unit 530 may communicate using ashort-range low-energy wireless communication protocol, such as NFC orRFID. Communicating using a low-energy wireless communication protocolmay allow the communication unit 530 to use substantially less powerthan communicating using other wireless communication protocols. Forexample, using a low-energy wireless communication protocol, thecommunication unit 530 may have a lower duty cycle and may activelyoperate less frequently, for shorter periods of time, or both.

In some embodiments, the health monitor device 500 may communicate withthe external device 504 indirectly via another device, or series ofdevices. For example, the health monitor device 500 may communicate withthe external device 504 via a network, wherein the health monitor device500 may transmit signals to, for example, an access point (not shown),and the access point may transmit the signals to the external device504, in the same or a different format, via one or more other devices ina network.

The wideband wireless communication antenna 540 may be configured toreceive energy from a wireless signal, such as high frequencyelectromagnetic field energy emitted by the external device 504. Forexample, the external device 504 may be cellular telephone and thewideband wireless communication antenna 540 may receive electromagneticfield energy from cellular telephone communication performed by theexternal device 504. The wideband wireless communication antenna 540 mayreceive energy inductively, capacitively, or radiatively.

The magnetic loop wireless communication antenna 550, may be configuredto receive energy from a near field wireless signal, such as magneticfield energy generated by a short-range low-energy communication unit inthe external device 504, such as an NFC communication unit or an RFIDcommunication unit. The magnetic loop wireless communication antenna 550may receive energy inductively, capacitively, or radiatively.

The power scavenging unit 560 may include circuitry, such as a rectifiercircuit, and may harvest electromagnetic field energy from the widebandwireless communication antenna 540, the magnetic loop wirelesscommunication antenna 550, or both. In some implementations, the powerscavenging unit 560 may be operatively coupled with other elements ofthe health monitor device 500 to provide power to those elements.

The power management unit 570 may be operatively coupled to elements ofthe health monitor device 500, such as the sensor interface 520, and maymanage the distribution of power from the power scavenging unit 560 tothe elements of the health monitor device 500. Managing the distributionof power may include filtering and regulating the power.

In some embodiments, the power management unit 570 may include a powerreservoir, which may receive and store power from the power scavengingunit 560. For example, when the health monitor device 500 is not in anactive mode, received power may be stored in the power reservoir, andwhen the health monitor device 500 is in an active mode, power stored inthe the power reservoir may distributed to the health monitor device500.

Although shown as separate elements, the sensor interface unit 520, thecommunication unit 530, the wideband wireless communication antenna 540,the magnetic loop wireless communication antenna 550, the powerscavenging unit 560, or the power management unit 570, or anycombination thereof, may be integrated in one or more electronic units,circuits, or chips.

Although not explicitly shown in FIG. 5, the wirelessly powered healthmonitor device 500 may be implemented as a solid flat molded unitwithout mechanical elements. Mass production of the wirelessly poweredhealth monitor device 500 may be relatively inexpensive.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view diagram of a health monitor device 600,such as the wirelessly powered health monitor device 500 shown in FIG.5, positioned in close proximity, or attached, to an external device610, such as the receiver 130 shown in FIG. 1, for short-range,low-energy wireless communication of analyte data in accordance withembodiments of this disclosure.

In some implementations, the health monitor device 600 may be configuredwith a small physical footprint, such as in a solid, flat shape asshown. For example, the health monitor device 600 may be configured as acase for a glucose meter or a cell phone.

In some implementations, the external device 610 may include a userinterface for presenting the analyte data. The external device 610 maycontrol the wirelessly powered health monitor device 600. For example,the external device 610 may receive user input and may control thewirelessly powered health monitor device 600 to perform tests orcommunicate analyte information. The external device 610 may include agraphical display unit 612, which may be configured to display a visualrepresentation of the analyte data, and an audio presentation unit 614,which may be configured to present an audible representation of theanalyte data.

FIG. 7 shows an example of wirelessly powered wireless communication ofanalyte data in accordance with embodiments of this disclosure. In someembodiments, a wirelessly powered health monitor device, such as thewirelessly powered health monitor device 500 shown in FIG. 5, mayperform wirelessly powered wireless communication of analyte data withan external device which may include transmitting health monitoringinformation, such as analyte information, to the external device.Wirelessly powered wireless communication of analyte data of may includereceiving an electromagnetic signal at 710, scavenging power at 720,detecting a sample at 730, analyzing the sample at 740, determining ananalyte concentration at 750, storing analyte information at 760,transmitting an indication of the analyte concentration at 770, or acombination thereof.

An electromagnetic signal may be received at 710. For example, thewirelessly powered health monitor device may receive a short-rangelow-energy electromagnetic signal, such as an RFID signal or a NFCsignal, or the wirelessly powered health monitor device may receive awideband electromagnetic signal, such as a cellular telephone signal(EDGE, UMTS, HSPA, LTE, or the like) or a wireless networking signal(802.11, or the like). In some embodiments, the wirelessly poweredhealth monitor device may receive a wideband electromagnetic signal anda short-range low-energy electromagnetic signal.

Power may be harvested (scavenged) from the received electromagneticsignal at 720. The receive power may be distributed to elements of thewirelessly powered health monitor device to power the respectiveelements. In some embodiments, power may be harvested while thewirelessly powered health monitor device is in an inactive mode, may bestored in a power reservoir, and stored power may be used to power, orpartially power, the wirelessly powered health monitor device in anactive mode.

A sample, such as a blood sample, may be identified at 730. For example,the health monitor device may include a sensor interface, such as thesensor interface unit 560 shown in FIG. 5, which may be configured toreceive a fluid sample, such as a fluid sample transported via a teststrip. In some embodiments, the sample may be identified by an externalmeasurement device, such as a continuous analyte monitoring device,configured to communicate with the health monitor device using, forexample, a short range wireless communication method, such as RFID orNFC. For example, the continuous analyte monitoring device may include atranscutaneously implanted sensor that may continually or substantiallycontinually measure an analyte concentration of a bodily fluid.

The sample may be analyzed to determine a corresponding analyte level,such as a glucose level, at 740. For example, the health monitor devicemay include a processor, such as the processor 220 shown in FIG. 2,configured to analyze the sample. In some embodiments, the sample may beanalyzed by an external analysis device, such as a continuous analytemonitoring device, configured to communicate with the health monitordevice.

An analyte concentration may be identified at 750. For example, theanalyte concentration may be identified based on the sample analysis at740. In some embodiments, the analyte concentration may be received froman external analysis device, such as a continuous analyte monitoringdevice, configured to communicate with the health monitor device. Insome embodiments, the analyte concentration may be identified based onstored information, such as previously stored raw or analyzed sampledata.

In some embodiments, raw or analyzed analyte information, such theanalyte concentration identified at 750, may be stored at 760. Forexample, health monitor device may include a data storage unit, such asthe memory 260 shown in FIG. 2, a processor, such as the processor 220shown in FIG. 2, a sensor interface, such as the sensor interface unit520 shown in FIG. 5, or a combination thereof, and the processor, thesensor interface, or a combination thereof, may identify the analyteconcentration based on raw or analyzed analyte data stored on the datastorage unit.

An indication of the analyte concentration may be transmitted to theexternal device at 770. For example, the indication of the analyteconcentration may be transmitted from the health monitor device to theexternal device using, for example, a short-range low-energy wirelesscommunication link, such as an NFC communication link. In someembodiments, transmitting the indication of the analyte concentrationmay include transmitting raw or analyzed analyte information. In someembodiments, transmitting the indication of the analyte concentrationmay include transmitting health care instructions. In some embodiments,transmitting the indication of the analyte concentration may includesynchronizing information between the health monitor device and theexternal device.

FIG. 8 an example of enabling suppressed capabilities in accordance withembodiments of this disclosure. In some implementations, a healthmonitor device may include a first set of capabilities (monitorcapabilities) associated with monitoring and analysis of analyte datareceive via a fluid at the health monitor device, such as a fluidreceive via a test strip, and a second set of capabilities (sensorcapabilities) configured for monitoring and analysis of analyte datareceive from an external sensor, such as a continuous analyte monitoringdevice.

Prior to activation, the monitor capabilities may be active or enabled,such that the monitor capabilities may be functional and available viathe health monitor device, and the sensor capabilities may be inactive,suppressed, hidden, or disabled, such that the sensor capabilities maybe non-functional and may be unavailable via the health monitor device.

Suppressing the sensor capabilities may include disabling, or notenabling, capabilities of the health monitor device. For example, asensor interface for communicating with a sensor device may be disabled.Similarly, user interface features of the health monitor deviceassociated with the sensor interface may be disabled or hidden. In someembodiments, the user interface capabilities associated with the sensormay be provided by an external device and may be hidden on the externaldevice.

In some implementations, a health monitor device, such as the healthmonitor device 200 shown in FIG. 2 or the health monitor device 500shown in FIG. 5, may include suppressed capabilities that may be enabledin response to detecting an enabling device, such as a sensor. Enablingsuppressed capabilities may include powering on at 810, searching for asensor at 820, enabling suppressed capabilities at 830, detecting asample at 840, analyzing the sample at 850, determining an analyteconcentration at 860, storing analyte information at 870, transmittinganalyte information at 880, or a combination thereof.

The health monitor device may be powered on at 810. Powering on mayinclude enabling a sensor interface for a defined period of time. Forexample, the sensor interface may include circuitry for communicatingwith an external sensor, such as a continuous analyte monitoring device,and the communication circuitry may be enabled. In some embodiments, thesensor interface may be temporarily enabled in response to user input,such as a manual activation feature.

The health monitor device may search for a sensor at 820. Searching forthe sensor may include transmitting a signal, such as a beacon signal,for a determined period of time, such as 15 seconds. If a sensor is notdetected, the health monitor device may terminate transmitting thesignal and may disable the temporarily enabled sensor interface. In someembodiments, the health monitor device may search for a sensor inresponse to user input.

If a sensor is detected, the health monitor device may enable the sensorcapabilities at 830. In some embodiments, enabling the sensorcapabilities may include enabling a sensor interface configured toreceive raw or analyzed analyte information from an external device,such as a continuous analyte monitoring device, configured tocommunicate with the health monitor device using, for example, a shortrange wireless communication method, such as RFID or NFC. In someembodiments, enabling the sensor capabilities may include enabling userinterface capabilities of the health monitor device. In someimplementations, enabling the sensor capabilities may include enablingsensor capabilities on an external device. For example, enabling thesensor capabilities may include activating a sensor, enabling userinterface capabilities on an external device, or both. In someembodiments, enabling the sensor capabilities may include enablingproduct labeling, such as product labeling stored on the health monitordevice.

In some implementations, an unlocking device, such as a non-functionalsensor or a ROM calibrator, may be detected at 820 and the sensorcapabilities may be enabled. In some implementations, the sensorcapabilities may be enabled in response to user input. For example, thehealth monitor device may receive user input indicating an enablinginstruction, such as an unlock code, and the sensor capabilities may beenabled.

A sample, such as a blood sample, may be identified at 840. For example,a sensor may not be detected at 820 and the monitor capabilities mayinclude a sensor interface configured to receive a fluid sample, such asa fluid sample transported via a test strip. In another example, asensor may be detected at 820 and the sensor capabilities may include asensor interface configured to receive sample information identified byan external measurement device, such as a continuous analyte monitoringdevice, configured to communicate with the health monitor device using,for example, a short range wireless communication method, such as RFIDor NFC.

The sample may be analyzed to determine a corresponding analyte level,such as a glucose level, at 850. For example, the health monitor devicemay include a processor, such as the processor 220 shown in FIG. 2,configured to analyze the sample. In some embodiments, a sensor may bedetected at 820 and the health monitor device may be configured toreceive sample information analyzed by an external analysis device, suchas a continuous analyte monitoring device.

An analyte concentration may be identified at 860. For example, theanalyte concentration may be identified based on the sample analysis at850. In some embodiments, a sensor may be detected at 820 and the healthmonitor device may be configured to receive the analyte concentrationfrom an external analysis device, such as a continuous analytemonitoring device. In some embodiments, the analyte concentration may beidentified based on stored information, such as previously stored raw oranalyzed sample data.

In some embodiments, raw or analyzed analyte information, such theanalyte concentration identified at 860, may be stored at 870. Forexample, health monitor device may include a data storage unit, such asthe memory 260 shown in FIG. 2, a processor, such as the processor 220shown in FIG. 2, a sensor interface, such as the sensor interface unit520 shown in FIG. 5, or a combination thereof, and the processor, thesensor interface, or a combination thereof, may identify the analyteconcentration based on raw or analyzed analyte data stored on the datastorage unit.

An indication of the analyte concentration may be transmitted to theexternal device at 880. For example, the indication of the analyteconcentration may be transmitted from the health monitor device to theexternal device using, for example, a wireless communication link, suchas an NFC communication link, a Bluetooth® communication link, or awireless LAN communication link. In some embodiments, transmitting theindication of the analyte concentration may include transmitting raw oranalyzed analyte information. In some embodiments, transmitting theindication of the analyte concentration may include transmitting healthcare instructions. In some embodiments, transmitting the indication ofthe analyte concentration may include synchronizing information betweenthe health monitor device and the external device.

Various other modifications and alterations in the structure and methodof operation of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in theart without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.Although the invention has been described in connection with specificpreferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention asclaimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. It isintended that the following claims define the scope of the presentinvention and that structures and methods within the scope of theseclaims and their equivalents be covered thereby.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus, comprising: a housing; a memoryunit configured to store computer executable instructions; an antenna;an energy scavenging unit; and a processor configured to execute thecomputer executable instructions stored in the memory to: control theenergy scavenging unit to harvest energy from an electromagnetic signalreceived by the antenna, detect an analyte sample, determine an analyteconcentration associated with the detected analyte sample, and transmitan indication of the analyte concentration to an external device usingthe harvested energy.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the antennaincludes a magnetic loop antenna configured to receive a short-rangelow-power wireless communication signal.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2,further comprising a wideband antenna configured to receive a widebandwireless communication signal, wherein the processor is configured tocontrol the energy scavenging unit to harvest energy from anelectromagnetic signal received by the wideband antenna.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the antenna includes a wideband antennaconfigured to receive a wideband wireless communication signal.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 4, further comprising a magnetic loop antennaconfigured to receive a short-range low-power wireless communicationsignal, wherein the processor is configured to control the energyscavenging unit to harvest energy from an electromagnetic signalreceived by the magnetic loop antenna.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1,further comprising a power reservoir configured to: store harvestedpower on a condition that the apparatus is in an inactive mode; anddistribute stored power on a condition that the apparatus is in anactive mode.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electromagneticsignal is a near field communication signal or a radio frequencyidentification signal.
 8. A method comprising: receiving anelectromagnetic wireless communication signal; harvesting energy fromthe electromagnetic wireless communication signal; detecting an analytesample; determining an analyte concentration associated with thedetected analyte sample; and transmitting an indication of the analyteconcentration to an external device using the harvested energy.
 9. Themethod of claim 8, wherein receiving the electromagnetic wirelesscommunication signal include receiving a short-range low-power wirelesscommunication signal.
 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:receiving a wideband wireless communication signal; and harvestingenergy from the wideband wireless communication signal.
 11. The methodof claim 8, wherein receiving the electromagnetic wireless communicationsignal include receiving a wideband wireless communication signal. 12.The method of claim 11, further comprising: receiving a short-rangelow-power wireless communication signal; and harvesting energy from theshort-range low-power wireless communication signal.
 13. The method ofclaim 8, further comprising: in an inactive mode, storing harvestedpower in a power reservoir; and in an active mode, distributing storedpower from the power reservoir.
 14. The method of claim 8, whereinreceiving the electromagnetic wireless communication signal includesreceiving a near field communication signal or a radio frequencyidentification signal.
 15. An apparatus, comprising: a housing; a memoryunit configured to store computer executable instructions; atransceiver; a plurality of capabilities associated with an externalsensor, wherein each capability in the plurality of capabilitiesassociated with the external sensor is disabled; and a processorconfigured to execute the computer executable instructions stored in thememory to: enable an external sensor interface, search for the externalsensor, in response to detecting the external sensor, enable eachcapability in the plurality of capabilities associated with the externalsensor, detect an analyte sample using the external sensor interface,determine an analyte concentration associated with the detected analytesample, and transmit an indication of the analyte concentration to anexternal device.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the transceiveris configured to perform short-range low-power wireless communication,and the processor is configured to search for the external sensor usingshort-range low-power wireless communication.
 17. The apparatus of claim16, wherein using short-range low-power wireless communication includesusing a near field communication protocol or a radio frequencyidentification protocol.
 18. A method comprising: enabling an externalsensor interface, wherein the external sensor interface is one of aplurality of capabilities associated with an external sensor, whereineach capability in the plurality of capabilities associated with theexternal sensor is disabled; searching for the external sensor; inresponse to detecting the external sensor, enabling each capability inthe plurality of capabilities associated with the external sensor;detecting an analyte sample using the external sensor interface;determining an analyte concentration associated with the detectedanalyte sample; and transmitting an indication of the analyteconcentration to an external device.
 19. The method of claim 18, whereinsearching for the external sensor includes using short-range low-powerwireless communication.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein usingshort-range low-power wireless communication includes using a near fieldcommunication protocol or a radio frequency identification protocol.